advice
CURVATURE
of the Spine
Physiotherapist Katherine
Gatherer explains how
scoliosis can be detected
and treated in adolescents
S
coliosis is a side-to-side
curvature of the spine. It can
develop during childhood,
teenage years, or adulthood,
but is most commonly noticed during
the years of rapid growth in girls age
9 to 14 and boys age 11 to 16. This is
the most common type of scoliosis,
known as Adolescent Idiopathic
Scoliosis. “Idiopathic” means “of
unknown cause”, however, there can
be genetic factors, as scoliosis tends
to be hereditary. Any parent who has
scoliosis should send their children
for screening and any adolescent who
is found to have scoliosis should also
have their siblings screened. Diagnosis,
treatment, and monitoring are important
as spinal deformity can cause pain
and dysfunction in the musculoskeletal
system, as well as dysfunction of the
heart and lungs.
Importance
of early detection
Early detection is crucial because the
onset of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
(AIS) is gradual. Curve progression
usually coincides with the adolescent
growth spurt. The development of
the curvature usually goes unnoticed
by the parent and child because it is
not obvious initially, and pain is rare
in the early stages. Scoliosis is not
normally noticed until the curvature has
developed, however, early detection and
conservative treatment may preclude
the need for some children to undergo
major surgery.
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